Display devices

ABSTRACT

A display device having four embodiments, each of which comprises front and rear members that are telescopically interconnected. In one embodiment, the front member has a face on which material to be displayed can be mounted. The rear member is scored so that an easel stand or a hook receiving hole can be formed therein. In a second embodiment, the front face has a coin slot therein and the front and rear members are held together by top and bottom covers. In a third embodiment, the material to be displayed is on a fabric which is supported by the telescoping front and rear members, and in a further embodiment, the display device is incorporated in a dispenser housing.

United States Patent Herrin et al.

1451 Feb. 29, 1972 [54] DISPLAY DEVICES [72] inventors: Melvin B.llerrin; Lenard ll. Herrin, both of 15th & l-luntingdon Sts.,Philadelphia, Pa.

3,503,147 3/1970 Herrinetal ..40/124.1 3,545,111 12/1970 Spiegeletal.....40/1521 3,548,527 12/1970 14665166161... ..40/1521 3,557,480 1/1971Ebnel' ..40/1521 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,205,748 2/l960 France..40/312 Primary Examir ler-Robert W. Michell AssistantExaminer-Wenceslao J. Contreras Att0rneySeidel & Gonda [5 7] ABSTRACT Adisplay device having four embodiments, each of which comprises frontand rear members that are telescopically interconnected. In oneembodiment, the front member has a face on which material to bedisplayed can be mounted. The rear member is scored so that an easelstand or a hook receiving hole can be fonned therein. In a secondembodiment, the front face hasa coin slot therein and the front and rearmembets are held together by top and bottom covers. ln a thirdembodiment, thematerial to be displayed is on a fabric which issupported by the telescoping front and rear members, and in a furtherembodiment, the display device is incorporated in a dispenser housing.

7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Patented Feb. 29, 1972 3,645,024

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVfN TORS MEL VIN E. HER/PIN BLIENARI'D H. ljE/PR/NATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 29, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet Z INVENTORS MEL VIN E. HERE/NLENARD H. HERE/N ATTORNEYS.

DISPLAY nsvrcrzs This invention is directed to display devices and moreparticularly to display devices which are economical to manufacture andhighly attractive in use and is a continuation of application Ser. No.710,184 filed Mar. 3, 1968 which now has become abandoned.

Most prior art display devices have not been sufficiently versatile topermit the devices to be attractively supported on a planar surface,mounted on a wall, and mounted on a planar surface while utilizing aneasel. While some devices have been suggested, they are generallyunattractive in appearance and/or expensive to manufacture.

It is an object of the present invention to provide display deviceswhich are attractive in appearance and versatile in use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide display deviceswhich may be attractively supported on a planar surface, mounted on awall, and utilized with an easel so that it can be titled when supportedon a planar surface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide display.devices which are inexpensive to manufacture and yet highly attractivein use.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide displaydevices which may be utilized as collection boxes wherein means areprovided to render the collection boxes substantially tamper-proof.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide adisplay device which is incorporated within a dispenser housing.

It is a-further object of the present invention to provide dis-.

play devices which have one surface having pressure-sensitive adhesivethereon to provide a permanent securement of a photograph, pictorialdisplay, emblem or other objects thereto.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The above and other objects are accomplished by means of the presentinvention. Display devices are provided which may be self-supported on aplanar surface, may be mounted on a wall ormay be utilized with an easelso that they can be tilted back when supported on a planar surface.Photographs, pictorial displays, emblems or any other desired indiciamay be secured to the front surface of the display devices. The displaydevices can be modified for use as collection boxes and renderedsubstantially tamper-proof.

In the'preferred embodiment, pressure-sensitive adhesive is provided onthe front face of the display devices. A protective cover sheet may beplaced over the pressure-sensitive adhesive to preserve the qualityofthe adhesive substance until it is desired to mount the pictorialdisplay or the like. The cover sheet also permits ease of handling thedisplay devices. The front and rear members of the display devices aretightly held together to present a unique and pleasing unitaryappearance. Embossments may be die pressed into the front face of thedisplay devices in order to facilitate accurate mounting of a photographor other pictorial display thereon.

The outer exposed surfaces of the display devices may havedecorative'paper secured thereto to enhance the attractiveness of thedevices. The decorative paper may give the displaydevice the appearanceof a wood grain or the like. While in the preferred embodimentpressure-sensitive adhesive is secured to the front face of the displaydevices, it is also possible to print directly onto the display devicesso that they maybe used as greeting cards or for any other displaypurposes. When so produced, the devices also have the versatility inuse. and mounting as set forth hereinbefore.

When utilized as a collection box, a slot may be placed in the frontface or top of the display device. In this instance, the uppermostportion of the front face which comprises approximately percent of thefront face will be free from pressuresensitive adhesive. The slot may beprovided adjacent the-top of the front face above the pressure-sensitiveadhesive. Otherwise, the slot may be provided in a top cover whichis-fixedly glued to the device. To this end, pressure-sensitive adhesivemay-be secured around the entire periphery of the-bottom and top of thedisplay device. Cover paper may be usedto protect theadhesive prior touse thereof. Thereafter, it is merely necessary to attach top andbottom'covers which are tightly frictionally receivedon the top andbottom of the display device to effect a sealing of the display device.Hence, the display device is rendered substantially tamper-proof.

It is also possible to havethe interengagement of the front and. rearmembers reversed and to have the panels of the rear member tightlyreceived within the panels of the front member. The engagement of thefront and rear .members could be efiected by rivets, glue, staples,frictionor the like.

In a third embodiment, the front member is a box and has wrapping papersecured thereto. The wrapping paper has a suitable pictorialrepresentation or the like which will cover the front face of the frontmember. The box is thereafter in-. serted into the rear-member toprovide an attractive unitary display device.

In a fourth embodiment, the display device may be incor: porated withina dispenser housing.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in thedrawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood,however, that thisinvention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of one embodiment of a displaydevice constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention and having a pictorial display attached to the front memberthereof;

FIG. 2 is also a frontal perspective view of a display deviceconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present inventionprior to the securement of a pictorial display thereto;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the display device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. ,5 is a frontal perspective view of the second embodiment ofthe.display device of the present invention wherein the device isutilized as a collection box;

FIG. 6 is a section viewtaken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a frontal perspective view of a third embodiment of a displaydevice constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a display devicewhich may be incorporated within a dispenser housing.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numeralsindicate like structure throughout the several views, there is shown inFIGS. 1-4, one embodiment of a display device generally indicated by thereference numeral 10.

The display device includes a front member 12 and a rear member 14. Boththe front and rear members may be made of cardboard and the surfaces tobe exposed may have decorative paper secured thereto in order to enhancethe'appearance of the device 10. The, front member 12 has a front face13 which along itsperimeter has side panels 16 and 18 and top and bottompanels 20 and 22. The panels l6, 18, 20 and 22 are substantiallyperpendicular with respect to the front face 13. In FIG. 1 a pictorialrepresentation or photograph 17 is shown secured to the front face 13.

The rear member 14. has a rear face 15 which along its perimeter has,side panels 24 and 26 and top and bottom panels 28 and 30. The panels24,26, 28 and 30 are substantially perpendicular with respect to thefear face 15. The distance between'the. side panels 24 and 26 is onlyslightly greater than the distance between the side panels 16 and 18 sothat when the front and, rear members 12- and 14 are assembled, there.is tight frictional engagement between adjacent panels. Likewise, thedistance between the top panel 28 and the bottom panel 30-is onlyslightly greater than the distance between the top panel 20 and thebottom panel 22 onthe front member 12.'Hence, the frontvmember 12 istightly frictionally unmuengaged with the rear member 14 so that thedevice has a unitary appearance. Alternatively, the front member may besecured to the rear member by means of rivets, staples, glue or othersuitable securing means.

In order for the display device to be attractively mounted in numerousplacements it has been found that the height dimension should beapproximately four times the depth of the display device. Likewise, thewidth of the device should also be approximately four times the depth ofthe device. In most instances, the device will be square although it iswithin the scope of the invention to provide a rectangular device. Mostphotographs today are square and hence the square construction of thedevice is preferred.

Pressure-sensitive adhesive 32 is provided on the front face 13 of thefront member 12. Protective cover paper 34 may be provided in order topreserve the quality of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 32 until it isdesired to mount a photograph, pictorial element, emblem or the likeonto the front face 13. Use of cover paper also facilitates handling ofthe display devices with adhesive on the front face thereof. The coverpaper may be in two half portions and scalloped at the joinder of thehalf portions in order to permit easy removal thereof. It is alsopossible to utilize a unitary sheet of cover paper which may be removedfrom the front face 13 by bending the cover paper back upon itself at acorner thereof.

A plurality of L-shaped embossments 36 may be provided on the front face13 of.the front member 12. The embossments may be die pressed into thefront face prior to assembly of the front and rear members.

The embossments 36 facilitate rapid and easy attachment of aconventional size photograph or other pictorial element to the frontface 13 of the display device 10.

The rear face 15 of the rear member 14 may have score lines die-cuttherein. One set of die-cut score lines 38 define a keyhole 40. Thematerial defined by the score lines 38 need only be gently pressured andremoved from the rear face 15 thus leaving the keyhole 40. The keyhole40 is used to facilitate hanging the device on a wall. The other die-cutscore lines 42 define an easel 44 which may be utilized when it isdesired to tilt the display device 10 when supported by the easel 44 andthe rear edge 46 of the bottom panel 30 of the rear member 14.

A second embodiment of the presentinvention is set forth in FIGS. 5 and6. Like structure in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 as set forth withrespect to FIGS. 1-4 will be indicated by the same reference numeralhaving a prime notation. The display device 10' disclosed in FIGS. 5 and6 may be utilized not only as a display device but also as a collectionbox or bank. The front member 12' and the rear member 14' are substantially identical to the front and rear members 12 and 14 as shownand described with respect to FIGS. l-4. While the panels of the frontmember are shown as received within the panels of the rear member it isreadily within the scope of this invention to reverse this constructionand have the panels of the front member telescope over the panels of therear member.

The display device 10' may be somewhat greater in overall height thanthe display device 10. The added height provides for a slot 50 in thefront face 13' of the display device 10'. When the slot 50 is providedin the front face 13', the pressure-sensitive adhesive 32' does notextend to the top of the front face 13. Rather, the uppermost portion,approximately percent of the front face 13' is free from adhesive 32'.Any desired emblem, seal, pictorial representation, or the like 17' maybe secured to the pressure-sensitive adhesive 32'.

The display devices 10 are particularly suited for use as charitycollection boxes. Hence, the representation 17' may contain an appeal onbehalf of a particular charitable cause. Rather than utilizepressure-sensitive adhesive 32, it is within the scope of the inventionto merely print material across the front face 13' of the display device10'.

The display device 10' has a top cover 52 and a bottom cover 54 whichmay be secured thereto. The top cover 52 has periphery of the bottom ofthe display device 10. Altematively, the panels of the top and bottomcovers may be glued, stapled, riveted or otherwise secured to thedisplay device 10'. A band of pressure-sensitive adhesive may beprovided around the upper periphery and lower periphery of the displaydevice 10. After suitable cover paper has been removed from the band ofpressure-sensitive adhesive around the upper and lower periphery of thedisplay device 10', the top cover 52 and bottom cover 54 are forced ontothe display device 10. Due to the pressure-sensitive adhesive around theperiphery of the display device 10., the top cover 52 and the bottomcover 54 will be securely attached to the display device 10', and hencewill render the display device 10' substantially tamper-proof.

Embossments such as embossments 36 used in the embodiment disclosed inFIGS. 1-4, may also be used on the display device 10'. While no suchembossments have been shown, it is readily apparent that suchembossments could also be provided to facilitate alignment of thepictorial representation 17 onto the front face 13' of the displaydevice 10'.

While the slot 50 has been shown in the front face 13 of the displaydevice 10, it is readily apparent that the slot 50 could also beprovided in the top face 53 of the top cover 52. Likewise, a concentricslot would be provided in the top panels 20' and 28 of the front member12' and rear member 14, respectively. However, in the preferredembodiment, the slot 50 is provided in the front face 13' of the displaydevice 10.

A third embodiment of the present invention is set forth in FIGS. 7 and8. The structure in the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 is the same as thatset forth with respect to FIGS. l-4 ex cept as appears hereinafter. Thedisplay device 60 disclosed in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes a front member 62and a rear member 64. The front member 62 has a backwall 66 and hencethe front member 62 comprises an entire box. Suitable paper or fabric 68having a pictorial representation 70 thereon is wrapped around the frontmember 62.

The pictorial representation 70 will cover the front face of the displaydevice 60. The front face will have a smooth ap-. pearance in view ofthe fact that the paper or fabric 68 will be wrapped around the frontmember 62. The paper or fabric 68 may be secured to the exterior surfaceof the backwall 66 by any suitable means such as adhesive, staples,rivets, etc. The front member 62 can then be telescopically insertedinto the rear member 64 to complete the construction of the displaydevice 60.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is set forth in FIG. 9. Thestructure in the embodiment of FIG. 9 is the same as set forth withrespect to FIGS. 1-4 except as appears hereinafter. The display devicemay be identical in structure to the display device l0, 10' or 60.

The display device 80 has at least one dispenser housing 82 which may beintegrally formed therewith. The housing 82 may be provided at thebottom of the display device as shown, on one side thereof, on bothsides thereof, on the top thereof or on the top and bottom thereof. Thehousing 82 may be used to house articles 84 which are to be dispensed.

When the housing 82 is integrally formed with the display device 80 therear member 86 will be substantially larger than the front member 88. Apartition 90 may be provided to separate the display device 80 from thedispenser housing 82.

Alternatively, the dispenser housing 82 could be a separate housingwhich is attached to the display device 80. The housing 82 may besecured to the display device 80 in any desired manner, such as bygluing, stapling, riveting or the like. The housing 82 may be made ofheavy paper or similar material. When utilized with the housing 82 thepictorial representation on the front face of the display device 80 willcontain promotional material to facilitate the selling of the goods inthe hous- The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of theinvention.

1 claim:

1. A display device comprising a front member and a rear member, saidfront member having a front face and side panels extending substantiallyperpendicularly from said front face, said front member having top andbottom panels extending substantially perpendicularly from said frontface, said,

rear member having a rear face and having side panels extendingsubstantially perpendicularly from said rear face, said rear face havingtop and bottom panels extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom,said front member and rear member adapted to be in secure interengagingrelationship wherein said side panels and top and bottom panels on saidfront member are adapted to be telescopically coupled to said sidepanels and said top and bottom panels of said rear member, said frontand rear members comprising said display device, said display devicehaving a substantial depth so that said display device is self-supportedon a planar surface and having fabric means including material to bedisplayed wrapped around said front face and said panel means so thatsaid fabric means lies on said front face and is held between said panelmeans on said front and rear members.

2. A display device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said panel means onsaid front face support a backwall in spaced relation from said frontwall, and said fabric means is wrapped around said panel means and isfastened to said backwall.

3. A display device as set forth in claim 1 including at least onedispenser housing connected to said device, said dispenser housinghaving at least one compartment therein in which articles to bedispensed may be stored.

4. A display device comprising a front member and a rear member, saidfront member having a front face and side panels extending substantiallyperpendicularly from said front face, said front member having top andbottom panels extending substantially perpendicularly from said frontface, said rear member having a rear face and having side panelsextending substantially perpendicularly from said rear face, said rearface having top and bottom panels extending substantiallyperpendicularly therefrom, said front member and rear member adapted tobe in secure interengaging relationship wherein said side panels and topand bottom panels on said from member are adapted to be telescopicallycoupled to said side panels and said top and bottom panels of said rearmember, said front and rear members comprising said display device, saiddisplay device having a substantial depth so that said display device isself-supported on a planar surface, and pressuresensitive adhesive onsaid front face, a slot in said front face adjacent the top thereof, andtop and bottom covers mounted over said front and rear members, said topand bottom covers being secured to said front and rear members toprevent said display device from being tampered with'and opened withoutauthorization.

5. A display device as set forth in claim 4 including bands ofpressure-sensitive adhesive around the entire periphery of said displaydevice adjacent the top and bottom edges thereof, said bands ofpressure-sensitive adhesive cooperating with downwardly depending panelson the top and bottom covers to prevent tempering with said displaydevices.

anels extending substantially perpendicularly from said front ace, saidfront member having top and bottom panels extending substantiallyperpendicularly from said front face, said rear member having a rearface and having side panels extending substantially perpendicularly fromsaid rear face, said rear face having top and bottom panels extendingsubstantially perpendicularly therefrom, said front member and rearmember adapted to be in secure interengaging relationship wherein saidside panels and top and bottom panels on said front member are adaptedto be telescopically coupled to said side panels and said top and bottompanels of said rear member, said front and rear members comprising saiddisplay device, said display device having a substantial depth so thatsaid display device is self-supported on a planar surface,pressure-sensitive adhesive on said front face, a pictorialrepresentation connected to said front face by said adhesive, and anopening formed in said rear wall for receiving a hooklike member so thatsaid display device may be mounted on a wall.

1. A display device comprising a front member and a rear member, said front member having a front face and side panels extending substantially perpendicularly from said front face, said front member having top and bottom panels extending substantially perpendicularly from said front face, said rear member having a rear face and having side panels extending substantially perpendicularly from said rear face, said rear face having top and bottom panels extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, said front member and rear member adapted to be in secure interengaging relationship wherein said side panels and top and bottom panels on said front member are adapted to be telescopically coupled to said side panels and said top and bottom panels of said rear member, said front and rear members comprising said display device, said display device having a substantial depth so that said display device is self-supported on a planar surface and having fabric means including material to be displayed wrapped around said front face and said panel means so that said fabric means lies on said front face and is held between said panel means on said front and rear members.
 2. A display deviCe as set forth in claim 1 wherein said panel means on said front face support a backwall in spaced relation from said front wall, and said fabric means is wrapped around said panel means and is fastened to said backwall.
 3. A display device as set forth in claim 1 including at least one dispenser housing connected to said device, said dispenser housing having at least one compartment therein in which articles to be dispensed may be stored.
 4. A display device comprising a front member and a rear member, said front member having a front face and side panels extending substantially perpendicularly from said front face, said front member having top and bottom panels extending substantially perpendicularly from said front face, said rear member having a rear face and having side panels extending substantially perpendicularly from said rear face, said rear face having top and bottom panels extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, said front member and rear member adapted to be in secure interengaging relationship wherein said side panels and top and bottom panels on said from member are adapted to be telescopically coupled to said side panels and said top and bottom panels of said rear member, said front and rear members comprising said display device, said display device having a substantial depth so that said display device is self-supported on a planar surface, and pressure-sensitive adhesive on said front face, a slot in said front face adjacent the top thereof, and top and bottom covers mounted over said front and rear members, said top and bottom covers being secured to said front and rear members to prevent said display device from being tampered with and opened without authorization.
 5. A display device as set forth in claim 4 including bands of pressure-sensitive adhesive around the entire periphery of said display device adjacent the top and bottom edges thereof, said bands of pressure-sensitive adhesive cooperating with downwardly depending panels on the top and bottom covers to prevent tempering with said display devices.
 6. A display device as set forth in claim 4 including at least one dispenser housing connected to said display device, said dispenser housing having at least one compartment within which articles to be dispensed may be stored.
 7. A display device comprising a front member and a rear member, said front member having a front face and side panels extending substantially perpendicularly from said front face, said front member having top and bottom panels extending substantially perpendicularly from said front face, said rear member having a rear face and having side panels extending substantially perpendicularly from said rear face, said rear face having top and bottom panels extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, said front member and rear member adapted to be in secure interengaging relationship wherein said side panels and top and bottom panels on said front member are adapted to be telescopically coupled to said side panels and said top and bottom panels of said rear member, said front and rear members comprising said display device, said display device having a substantial depth so that said display device is self-supported on a planar surface, pressure-sensitive adhesive on said front face, a pictorial representation connected to said front face by said adhesive, and an opening formed in said rear wall for receiving a hooklike member so that said display device may be mounted on a wall. 